About Us:

Challenges in the contemporary operating environment. Graduates gain a practical understanding of the force continuum, and the ability to apply reasonable force options in situations that do not rise to a deadly force response or when deadly force is not the preferred option. A student who attends this course receives training that ranges from rules of engagement and fielded/emerging nonlethal technologies to effective training methodologies and utilization of service-specific Nonlethal Capability Sets (NLCS). INIWIC provides trained instructors who can assist the commander and Service members in understanding the ramifications of unit and individual actions in relation to the tactical situation, and who provide training for situational appropriate force options.

History:

In 1996, the Secretary of Defense signed Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 3000.3, which designated the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) as the lead proponent of non-lethal (NL) development and technology. With this assignment, CMC developed program recommendations for stimulating and coordinating non-lethal weapons requirements. Soon after, the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate (JNLWD) was formed at Quantico, Virginia, under the direction of Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (Plans, Policies, and Operations). The JNLWD is responsible for concept exploration and program development, while the tactical employment of NL technology was assigned to the Non-Lethal Individual Weapons Instructor Course (NIWIC), located at the U.S. Marine Corps Military Police School, Fort McClellan, Alabama on 12 June 1998. NIWIC officially began training non-lethal instructors primarily for United States Marine Corps Operating Forces; however, other services also received NIWIC instruction. Shortly afterward, NIWIC was evaluated by the Inter-service Training Review Organization (ITRO), and was further designated as the only Department of Defense (DOD) organization authorized to conduct non-lethal instructor training. On 1 October 1999, NIWIC relocated to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as part of the base realignment and closure (BRAC) Congressional program. During January 2000, the ITRO final cost analysis was conducted at FLW, solidifying the fiscal, student throughput, and instructor requirements necessary to start inter-service training. In June 2000, the course was assigned a military article and services list (MASL) number, which makes the course available to those allies who participate in United States security assistance programs. The Inter-service Non-Lethal Individual Weapons Instructor Course (INIWIC) stood up in fiscal year 2001 graduates over 300 students annually from all Services and several allied nations.

Mission

Mindset

The course is designed to "train the trainer" and produce instructors who will conduct basic user level NL capability set training. The INIWIC graduate may also serve as the non-lethal operations advisor to his/her respective commander.

INIWIC students are taught that the NL mindset is more than batons, rubber bullets, or new technology. It is a profound understanding of the force continuum, and the ability to escalate or deescalate force based off of a perceived threat. It is a tool in the Commander's toolbox that provides alternative options to the traditional, and sometimes lethal, response. INIWIC provides well-trained leaders that can recognize their environment, understand the ramifications of their actions in relation to the tactical situation, and act accordingly. INIWIC concentrates on equipping the man rather than manning the equipment.

Contact Information

Commercial: (573) 596-0131 ext 64356	Mail:
DSN: 312-581-4356	UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS DETACHMENT MP/NBC Instruction Company ATTN: Inter-service Nonlethal Individual Weapons Instructors Course (INIWIC) 686 Minnesota Ave., Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 65473